Dysequilibrium syndrome

Background

• Characterized by neurological symptoms that is thought to be secondary to cerebral edema affecting dialysis patients
• Tends to occur in patients who are initially started on dialysis, particularly with high initial BUN
• Symptoms are thought to be secondary to the development of cerebral edema possibly due to urea removal during dialysis and from a decreased in pH in the cerebral intracelluar environment

Clinical Features

• Signs and symptoms develop during or after dialysis or during renal replacement therapy, usually self limited but can occasionally progress
• Headache
• Nausea
• Visual disturbances
• Asterixis
• Altered mental staus
• Seizures
• Coma
• Muscle Cramps

==Differential Diagonsis Template:Uremia